Our History

1920s

October 11, 1921
Community Welfare Federation was created by the WB Chamber of Commerce to consolidate all fundraising appeals into one annual drive to which the entire community would be asked to support.

November 11, 1922
The first campaign of the Community Welfare Federation is launched in the Wyoming Valley, raising $258,878.

1929
Stock Market crashes.

1930s

Great Depression impacts employment, fundraising and pledge collections. Need for support increases.

1939
World War II starts.

1940s

1941
The Community Welfare Federation campaign included fundraising for the United Services Organization (USO) to support members of the Armed Forces and their families. $29,226.37 was raised for the USO.

December 7, 1941
The US is attacked by the Japanese Empire at Pearl Harbor.

1942
The Community Welfare Federation created the Community War Chest to focus on fundraising and the Welfare Planning Council to address the human service needs of the Wyoming Valley.

1947
The organization changed its name from the Community Welfare Federation to the Wyoming Valley Community Chest.

1948
The Labor Participation Department was added as result of organized labor’s commitment to charitable giving and community service.

1950s

1951
The first “Red Feather” parade was held on October 14th, drawing tens of thousands of spectators and involving 15 bands, 32 floats and many military vehicles. The purpose was to draw attention to the start of the community chest campaign.

1956
To better organize area fundraising for local agencies, the Wyoming Valley Community Chest becomes part of the Wyoming Valley United Fund. Local firms were asked to join the United Fund and Sordoni Enterprises was the first to do so.

H. Allen Larsen, Executive Director of Wyoming Valley Community Chest, becomes the Executive Director of the Wyoming Valley United Fund.

George Guthrie Conyngham chairs the first United Fund campaign and it exceeds $1 million for the first time.

1959
Nancy Morris of Wyoming Valley Hospital was chosen as the first “Miss United Fund”.

The Wyoming Valley United Fund reorganizes the Welfare Planning Council to strengthen services and improve ways to better meet community needs.

1960s

The United Fund flourishes into a fund raising force in the Wyoming Valley.

1966
A “Loaned Executive” program is initiated.

The Women’s Council is created to support the organization.

1970s

1972
Change to Hurricane Agnes floods Wyoming Valley causing more than$1 billion in damages.

1973
United Fund and Welfare Planning Council become the United Way of Wyoming Valley, combining fundraising, planning, and allocations under one umbrella.

1978
The campaign, chaired by William Umphred, tops $2 million for the first time.

1980s

1980
First Rose Brader Award in honor of Rosilie Brader, a 30-year employee and labor leader, was awarded to Gary Van Scoy.

1984
The campaign, chaired by Dr. Wallace Stettler, tops $3 million for the first time.

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society was founded and led by community volunteers Stephen Sordoni and Frank Henry.

1988
The Christmas in July Food Drive was launched to assist the food bank and pantries with food supplies during the summer months.

1990s

1990
The campaign, chaired by Atty. Murray Ufberg, tops $4 million for the first time.

1991
United Way of Wyoming Valley begins services with individuals with HIV/AIDS with funding from the PA Department of Health.

1994
The United Way of Wyoming Valley hosts its first annual Day of Caring.

1998
United Way of Wyoming Valley receives the National AFL-CIO Model Cities in Community Service Award for the outstanding partnership created between the local labor movement and United Way in jointly addressing and meeting human service needs.

1999
United Way establishes “Success by Six” initiative to help young, at-risk children.

2000s

2000
The campaign, chaired by Terry Casey, tops $5 million.

2001
United Way of Wyoming Valley establishes September 11th Fund and participates in a local telethon to raise funds for 9/11 victims. Over $220,000 was raised in NEPA.

2002
The Sordoni Foundation provides a $1 million “Challenge Grant” to build the United Way of Wyoming Valley’s endowment.

2010s

2011
United Way Labor Award renamed Sam Bianco Labor Award in honor of the late Sam Bianco.

2014
United Way of Wyoming Valley adopts a new model of service and focuses on the increasing percentage of childhood poverty. The organization partners with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and launches a number of initiatives to address the health and education of at-risk children and the financial stability of families.

The organization also remains committed to funding basic and emergency needs.

2020s

As the nation is plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, fundraising is impacted, but need for support increases as unemployment spikes. The education of children is disrupted.

2021
United Way of Wyoming Valley creates the Children’s Success Fund.